By Basia Alicia Powell
Hello Fam,
I waited a few days before I publicly celebrated Trinidad and Tobago’s recent feat. If you have not yet heard, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Trinidad and Tobago is number 2 in the world for the excellent manner in which the leaders and people of the country handled the Caronavirus pandemic.
Very often I would speak to Trinidadians abroad and their opinions of their own country are less than flattering. I have had the opportunity to live in both a “Third World” country of Trinidad and Tobago and the “First World” country of the United States of America and I have to say, there is nothing “third world” about the execution of the Trinidad and Tobago government’s approach to locking down the country, as soon as the virus became a pandemic. I would also point out that Trinidad and Tobago also hosted a carnival at the start of this pandemic. All things considered, this result is a great accomplishment👏👏👏.
I believe that a country is as First World as its leader/leaders. Trinidad and Tobago has the privilege of being governed by some of the brightest minds in the world (regardless of which political party is in power) I wish to congratulate our current PM, The Hon Dr Keith Rowley and his entire cabinet, in particular the Minister of Health, The Honorable Terrence Deyalsingh, Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram and the exceptionally talented Dr Michelle Trotman who was charged with the onerous task of leading the country’s press briefings at the height of the lockdown, in an effort to keep the nation calm and informed.
Don’t get me wrong, we are not out of the woods yet. The world has a long way to go to ensure that we flatten the curve and eradicate this virus once and for all. Nevertheless, what we must celebrate is our recent ranking based on factual data from WHO. It is so much easier for some to point out the negatives rather than to embrace, celebrate and build on the positives. We hear so much negative references about the high crime rate in Trinidad and Tobago etc. Police Commissioner Gary Griffiths and his team have been doing an outstanding job, but no one talks about that.
POS – Trinidad
If we want things to get better in our beautiful country of Trinidad and Tobago,we cannot just sit and critique. I know that some Trinidadians believe that criticizing is constructive. Implementation of a constructive plan is what matters. We have to do something about the problem, not talk about the problem. What are you doing to make Trinidad and Tobago better? One of the few countries in the Caribbean (if not only) where an old age pension is guaranteed at age 65 years, school feeding is free, every child is guaranteed a free and excellent education, healthcare is available free and cost of living is still ridiculously affordable in comparison to most countries. There is nothing “Third World” about that. Do you ever hear Barbadians complaining about their crime rate or their cost of living😎?
Today, I am proud of our twin island Republic. I thank God that we have been able to have a successful lock down. I am proud to be Trinidadian on any day. I know our country has unique issues, but we have just demonstrated that we can deliver when it counts. Congratulations Trinidad and Tobago. I am proud of you🇹🇹.
See You Soon ❤
Basia Alicia Powell
Aka Miss Basia
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